As a parent, it's natural to be curious about your child's development and what milestones they should be reaching at certain ages. At the age of 2-3 years old, children go through a period of rapid growth and development, both physically and mentally, and as the mum of an almost three year old I have to say, this stage has been my favourite yet. While every child is unique and may reach milestones at their own pace, there are certain developmental milestones that most children will reach during this period.

At 2-3 years old, children will continue to refine their gross motor skills such as running, jumping, and climbing. They will also start to develop fine motor skills such as holding a pencil, drawing simple shapes and using utensils to feed themselves. By the age of 3, most children will be able to jump with both feet, walk up and down stairs independently, and pedal a tricycle. It's important to encourage physical activity during this period, as it not only helps with physical development but also with cognitive and emotional development. According to the NHS, children aged 2-3 years should have at least three hours of physical activity per day, spread throughout the day.

Between the ages of 2-3 years, children's language skills will continue to develop rapidly. Most children will have a vocabulary of around 200-300 words and will start to form simple sentences. They will also start to understand basic grammar and use pronouns correctly. As a parent, you can help with language development by talking to your child, reading books together, and encouraging them to express themselves through words. If you're concerned about your child's language development, it's important to speak to your health visitor for advice.

At 2-3 years old, children will start to develop social and emotional skills such as empathy, sharing, and taking turns. They will also start to understand social cues and will become more independent. However, temper tantrums are common at this age as children learn to navigate their emotions. It's important to create a safe and nurturing environment for your child to develop social and emotional skills. You can help by praising good behavior, setting clear boundaries, and providing opportunities for your child to interact with other children.

During this period, children's cognitive development is rapidly progressing, and they will start to understand concepts such as cause and effect, time, and spatial awareness. They will also begin to recognise colours, shapes, and sizes. Cognitive development is closely tied to language development, and as children's language skills improve, so does their cognitive development. Play is an essential part of cognitive development, and providing opportunities for imaginative and creative play can help children develop problem-solving skills and critical thinking- open ended toys like dolls, blocks and crafts like art and play dough are all fantastic.

Sleep is crucial for a child's development, and at 2-3 years old, children need between 11-14 hours of sleep per day, including naps. Establishing a regular bedtime routine can help promote healthy sleep patterns and improve overall health and development. The period between 2-3 years old is an exciting time for both children and parents as children reach important developmental milestones. While every child is unique, most will reach physical, language, and social and emotional milestones during this period. If you have any concerns about your child's development, speak to your health visitor for advice and support. Encouraging physical activity, talking to your child, and creating a nurturing environment can all help to support your child's development during this important period.

The period between 2-3 years old is an exciting time for both children and parents as children reach important developmental milestones. While every child is unique, most will reach physical, language, and social and emotional milestones during this period. If you have any concerns about your child's development, speak to your health visitor for advice and support.